Soft-output decoder with computation decision unit

摘要

A soft-output decoder that uses a-priori likelihood values to compute metrics while decoding a received data stream also uses the a-priori likelihood values to decide whether or not to compute the metrics for each position in the received data stream. Unnecessary computation can thereby be avoided, saving time and power. In an iterated soft-output decoding scheme, the soft-output decoder may decide whether or not to compute metrics for each position in the next iteration of the soft-output decoding process. These decisions may also be used to decide when to terminate the decoding process.